Report: 49ers TE Kittle’s shoulder injury not ‘serious’

The 49ers didn’t lose their preseason opener Thursday, but the biggest news came Friday: They probably won’t lose tight end George Kittle for an extended period.

Kittle sustained a separated right shoulder in the game, but it did not include any tears or structural damage and is not considered “serious,” the NFL Network reported. Kittle was injured after he fell hard on his shoulder after trying to bring in an incomplete deep pass over the middle from Jimmy Garoppolo in the first quarter of a 24-21 win over the Cowboys.

The-long term outlook appears good, but the fact that Kittle was injured on the 49ers’ eighth offensive play is concerning. Last year, the 2017 fifth-round pick missed just one game, but he was listed on the injury report due to issues with his ankle, back, calf, chest, elbow, hamstring and hip

“I think George’s main thing is just staying healthy,” Kyle Shanahan said in the offseason. “He takes care of his body, but we’ll see what God’s plan is.”

Last year, Kittle had 43 catches for 515 yards, and he’s enjoyed a strong start to training camp.

Kittle, who went to the locker room with his right arm pinned his midsection, appeared to sustain the most serious injury in a game in which the 49ers had six players exit early. The others were: running back Matt Breida (shoulder), outside linebacker Eli Harold (knee), inside linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring), defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (concussion) and offensive tackle Garry Gilliam (concussion).